Once the exam was over, my arm was in a small brace. The break was there, but it wasn't quite a solid snap. The pieces were still close enough together that I didn't need such a sturdy cast. Also when they pushed for something so clunky, I may have made my opinion well known. The doctors may not be happy about it, but I like having full use of my fingers when working.

I had a gut feeling I wasn't going to just be 'staying' here for free.

If I'm staying here at all.

Carefully, I make my way toward the center of the main hangar. There, stairs led up to a 'U' shaped platform that held many monitors, television screens, and tables. Military personal were walking around on it frantically as if someone was coming that none of them really liked.

I cautiously walk up the steps, feeling the slight concussion they said I had finally kicking in. I thought all of this would have started rearing its ugly head hours ago, but apparently, the adrenaline of being inside a massive alien robot that could snap you in two with their fingers keeps you from feeling immense pain.

My hand goes over my chest at the thought of being torn in two. It felt like my heart skipped a beat, but I ignore it. That was normal whenever I thought about something ripping me apart. Figured that out after multiple nightmares from the battle of Mission City.

Finally, I make it to the top of the stairs and move towards the familiar soldier that was talking to a taller, darker male soldier. His voice was familiar, and I recognize it from the voice at the cabin. I believe I remember his name, so I approach them with a soft smile.

"Sorry to interrupt. It's Eps, correct?" Major Lennox looks at me, and the other man copies his movement. His eyes are slightly wide, and he gives me a single nod. "Yeah, that's me. How'd you know?"

I smirk and attempt to cross my arms. "You raided my house. Next time, make sure the rug isn't hiding something, okay?" Both soldiers gawk at me, then slightly laugh. "Dude, I told you I heard something under the floor."

"Yeah, okay. You were right."

Feeling the tension slightly die in the air, I lower my good arm and gesture to the men running around. "So, who's coming? I've never seen military personal scurrying around so... concerned?" I lock eyes with Major Lennox, and he visibly stiffens. Eps huffs, and grips the gun in his holster tightly. This must be someone they really despise, but can't harm.

"He's... our liaison to the outside world. Somehow he already heard about you guys making it here. To describe him as 'not happy' would be a drastic understatement." I feel slight anger rise in my chest at the way this person was causing these soldiers to suffer just at the mild anticipation of being in his presence.

I can't wait to meet him.

Finally, Sam and Raph make it up to the platform as well. Sam is quick to lock hands with Eps and share a few kind words with Lennox. Raph was oogling over the monitors and all the science stuff that was happening. I move towards the railing, gazing out towards the open hangar doors. I hear his footsteps before his blue and red flamed figure appears outside. He had originally started to go in here before us, but a tall black bot had called him aside to what looked like a training field for these... Cybertronians?

Now, he was coming back in, ducking beneath the bay roof. As he straightens, his optics meet my gaze, and I see his face slightly drop at the sight of the small brace on my arm. I shake my head as he nears. "I'm fine, really! Just a minor break, nothing that won't heal." He gives me a nod, but I can tell he was still holding guilt. I guess that's part of being a leader after all.

"Colonel Lennox, Sergeant Eps."

The two soldiers turn from Sam and face Optimus. Their faces grow serious, and each nods toward the towering mech. Sam quietly moves forward, a small smile on his face. Optimus turns to him as well, and I see that slight crack in his serious features.

"Sam."

"Optimus. It's good to see you again."

"Likewise. I apologize it is not under better circumstances."

Sam only shrugs, trying to keep a slightly serious expression.

"I wouldn't have it any other way if it means getting back in here with you guys."

"And that's exactly what was not supposed to happen unless absolutely necessary!"

The voice is deep, holds authority, and warrants a fist to the face.

My suspicions are confirmed when the soldiers slightly cringe and Eps quickly makes his exit opposite of the voice. I turn to see a stout, dark-skinned man walk up the catwalk towards our small group. His hair spikes at the front a bit but still held small curls. His expression was grim, and when our eyes meet, he scowls. His eyes turn towards the soldier swiftly as he nears.

"Your orders were simple. Surveillance only! You were only allowed intervention if absolutely necessary!"

I step back, waiting for the opportune moment.

Major Lennox straightens his posture, standing a bit higher than this newcomer.

"Agent Fowler, it was necessary as the Decepticons found their location and-"

"You could have kept your distance and still saved their skin. There was no need for intervention."

"The Decepticons leveled the cabin they were in. Intervention was indeed necessary."

I gaze down to see Eps talking up from the floor, apparently still unwilling to hear this bs continue. Agent Fowler looks over the edge, a scowl on his face. "Soldier, you're paid to shoot, not talk."

I feel my blood boil, but slight laughter hits the back of my mind when I hear Eps mutter, "Don't tempt me." and Optimus replies, "Easy..."

This Agent Fowler guy turns back to Lennox, and Sam tries to stay silent. However, the Agent locks his gaze with him and pushes past Lennox. "And you! You were told to drop it, leave it, let it go. You are no longer needed, and you were never supposed to make contact with the aliens again."

He straightens and crosses his arm. "You'll be leaving ASAP, along with the rest of your friends. Lennox, you and your team will be under house arrest until further not-"

That's it.

"Excuse me, Mr. Fowler?"

I try to summon my most sickly sweet voice as possible, and I gain the attention of this horrible person. I start to speak, but he swiftly interrupts me. "And you, don't think I haven't forgotten about you, Rachel Talon Darby. You signed a contract to cease your pursuit of these aliens in order to maintain the scholarship that is putting you through college. If you wish to continue your educational future, you will obey my orders and never try to-"

"You're rude."

He stops dead in his words, eyes wide in disbelief. Every moving body in the hangar halts. I can feel all eyes (and optics) are on me. One hand is on my hip, and I am slightly leaning back. My finger is tapping on my waist, and I hold a deadpan expression. "E-Excuse me?" He says, and I narrow my gaze.

"I said you're rude. I had started talking before and you interjected your horrid idea of a threat in the middle of my own personal speech." He glares at me, and I lift my good hand as he opens his mouth. "I'm not finished, mister high-and-mighty." I straighten my posture and step forward between the soldiers and Agent Fowler. Then, I release the floodgates of pure unbridled rage with one finger pointing straight at this so-called 'agent'.

"First of all, you have no right to speak to these people, these beings, the way you have been. They not only put their own lives on the line to save ours, but they did what was, indeed, necessary to keep us alive." I then gesture toward Optimus and continue my rant. "Secondly, until you put your own life on the line to keep this planet safe from those who are stronger than us, you will keep your mouth shut. I have lost enough to earn the answers I deserve, and not you or any other government agency will keep me away from the truth." I lower my arm and continue with my final point.

"Lastly, these soldiers are paid to protect, not to serve the whims of some over-inflated egotistical jerk that left his military days behind to become the mediator between aliens and humans. They protected us, whether you like it or not, and the fact you were willing to risk the life of myself and my friends here is something I will never forgive you for. So do us all a favor, and return to the place you came from. I'm sure your chair is growing cold from your absence."

I sigh and keep my stance tall and unmoving. The silence that hit the entire hangar was deafening. Agent Fowler was no longer sporting a surprised expression, but one of rage. I hope my face held the same expression. I would not move from my spot and I will not remove my gaze first. I will not break or budge.

Finally, Agent Fowler growls and crosses his arms. "Nevertheless, you are leaving now, whether you like it or not." He reaches out to grab my good arm, but a massive metal servo suddenly settles sideways between us. It was so close that I had to take a step back so my toes would be safe. I follow the servo up the arm and to the face of Optimus Prime, who looks as if he is trying to control the anger that was within. His stern gaze is on Agent Fowler, but it flicks over to me for a split second. His gaze softens, and I smile and give a small nod, letting him know I wasn't hurt. He does nothing but returns to looking at the man on the other side of the wall.

"The children are injured, and they will not be leaving while under our medical care."

I hear more footsteps - pedsteps? - echo through the hangar, and a certain yellow mech appears behind Optimus. He gazes over us, then glares at the figure of Agent Fowler. I could feel the irritation flowing from both of these massive robots. I can't see Agent Fowler, but his growl echoes. "Fine! You win this battle, but this war is far from over. You'll hear about this from my superiors later. Don't think this will go untouched." I hear his feet slamming down on the stairs. Optimus lifts his hand and I watch as the backend of Agent Fowler exits the hangar bay.

I turn to Optimus, who was currently turning to speak with the yellow bot. "Thank you for your assistance, Ratchet." The yellow bot nods, gazing back toward us. "I don't enjoy others taking my patients away." He turns away and leaves without another word, and Optimus returns to face us. I look at him, confused, and Optimus blinks. "That was Ratchet, our medical officer. He... doesn't enjoy Agent Fowler's company." I can only chuckle and nod my head. "I don't think anyone here does."

I turn back towards the soldiers, and Lennox had the largest grin I think I have ever seen on a face. He extends a hand, and I shake it. "I... I have never seen Agent Fowler speechless. Thanks seem too simple for something so... so amazing." I can only shrug my shoulders and release his hand. "I don't like bullies." He laughs and turns to the other two. "Well, now that that's out of the way, I guess it's time to show you guys to your rooms."

Wait, rooms?

He moves past us towards the stairs, and we follow. I give one glance back to Optimus, who gives a small smile. I return it and walk down the stairs after my friends. They head left down a hallway into a building connected to the hangar. Lining the hall on each side are doors with names on them. On the right, Lennox stops and gestures to three doors. The doors read "Sam", "Raphael", and "Rachel". I look at Lennox, and he shrugs.

"We did a bit of... research. Each room holds a bit of things you enjoy, clothing in your size, and should suffice until the rest of your belongings arrive in two days." I want to feel mild annoyance and vulnerable, but I'm simply impressed. Raph, however, crosses his arms and huffs. "More like stalking if you ask me." Sam snickers and Lennox only shrugs.

"I won't deny it. I'd recommend you guys get some rest. We'll be starting early tomorrow morning on the debrief and filling you guys in on what will be happening during your stay here."

I nod and make my way to my door first. I could feel the exhaustion setting in from lack of sleep and pain. I was also starving, and hope there was food inside. Upon entering, I hear Sam say one last thing before my door closes.

"Still the same as before?"

"Of course. I'm sorry we couldn't get you back sooner."

Then my door shuts. I don't want to intrude on their moment, and my eyes lock on a fridge. I quickly make my way over and open it. To my relief, there are fruits, meats, my favorite soda, and bottles of water. I close it and open the freezer to find ice trays and ice cream. Everything was the way I would have had it, and although I should be startled, I simply grab the ice cream and a spoon from a drawer.

I make my way to the bed in the corner, ignoring the desk next to it. I plop down and dig straight into the delicious chocolate ice cream. Perhaps it wasn't the best dinner, but I couldn't care less. My last two days of living have completely changed everything I knew, and I could feel emotions starting to rise within that I had been suppressing all day.

I take a deep breath and try to focus on the room that was now my own. The window was against the wall opposite from the door. On the right of the window was the fridge, which was the start of the kitchen. A center island is in the kitchen near the sink, and a dining room was on the left of the kitchen. A door leads to what I can assume is the washroom near the kitchen, and a door in the dining room leads to a bathroom. It was simple but effective.

I try to think about anything else, and not the fact I nearly died.

That Raph nearly died.

That Sam nearly died.

I suck in a deep breath once more, shoveling ice cream into my mouth. I need to focus and ignore the doubt and fear. I am alive, they are alive, and I'm finally getting the answers I deserve. I pull out my phone, surprised it was still in one piece. I unlock it and rub my thumb over the home screen picture.

It was a picture of myself and my father.

It was the last picture I took with him before the building behind us collapses.

A tear crashes against my phone.

Am I making you proud dad?